Tips for Men – How NOT to Propose

Every girl (and some men) loves to hear a thoroughly romantic story – one of those sweep-you-off-your-feet, home run, over-the-moon kind of stories. Even better than hearing one is being able to tell one yourself. No one wants to tell their grandkids that grandpa proposed in the parking lot of McDonald’s – that’s a story that will leave you sitting in an overheated car alone, just you and your cheap sapphire ring.

Don’t let that be you.

1. Do not choose a holiday. I don’t care who you are, proposing on Valentine’s Day/Christmas/New Year’s is just tacky. Holidays are special in themselves – pick another day to make special. (Side note: if her birthday is near Christmas, do not combo gift her engagement ring as both. Why? Because it’s something you would have gotten her anyway, and combining two big events into one gift just says that you didn’t want to buy another gift.)

2. Food is overrated. I don’t know why this even needs to be said, but food is an awful way to propose to someone. Stereotypes aside, that’s a dang CHOKING hazard. “Honey, I love you so much. Will you marry me?” “HERRRRGG!!!” Plus, proposing over dinner is not special and romantic – it feels like an afterthought.

3. Pick a good ring. At the very least, you should know what kind of metal your girlfriend (or boyfriend – I’m not here to judge) prefers. If you can’t choose between white or yellow gold, you probably shouldn’t be getting married. Learn from Sex and the City, men: Pick a good ring. And ignore the cheesy pitches in the video.

4. Get a photographer. Whether he’s hidden, or comes out for photos after, these are pictures that she will want to remember. They’re your first engagement photos – make them count.

5. Don’t cheap out. Wal-Mart is great for getting a deal, but it’s not the place to go for an engagement ring. Supposedly there is a formula for how much you spent (1-3 month’s wages, or something of that sort), but the actual amount doesn’t matter. Just know that this ring is supposed to last forever, so buy it from a place that will ensure that it does.

6. Give it a little thought. You don’t have to have all of your friends and family lip-sync to “I think I wanna marry you,” like this guy, but it should be something at least somewhat thought out. On a trip, a romantic picnic, a scavenger hunt, whatever. Just pick something that will be meaning ful for her. And, if it’s something you can repeat on an anniversary, all the better (then she’ll think it’s super romantic, and you won’t have to think very hard about how to celebrate).

7. Be yourself. Do something that is symbolic of the two of you and the life you will have together; that’s what will make her say yes.